Jayla White

Photograph of a woman smiling wearing sunglasses and a green t shirt holding a bird.

Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator, DEC Region 6, New York State Water Resources Institute

Email: jayla.white [at] dec.ny.gov (jayla[dot]white[at]dec[dot]ny[dot]gov)

Jayla serves as the Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator for DEC Region 6 out of Brownville, NY. Before joining the WRI, Jayla worked for the DEC as a Seasonal Fish and Wildlife Technician 1 out of Region 6 from 2021-2024. She coordinated the New York Mammal Survey, trapping small mammals, taking biological samples, and collecting eDNA. She also worked on a variety other projects throughout her time with DEC including colonial waterbird management, bobcat occupancy and abundance survey, habitat management projects, invasive species detection and removal, migratory gamebird management, waterfowl banding, and many more. In this new role, she is excited to contribute to resource management in the region. Working with federal, state, and local stakeholders, she is looking forward to strengthening the capacity for early detection and rapid response of emerging AIS through direct management, policy, and public education.

Jayla graduated from SUNY Morrisville in 2021 with her B.T. in Environmental and Natural Resources Management. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, hunting, traveling and any opportunity enjoying the great outdoors.